Distribution system, reception apparatus, and methods for transitioning to new services

Abstract

A distribution system and reception apparatus, and methods thereof, are provided for broadcasting and receiving a plurality of non-backwards-compatible services. The broadcasting method includes receiving, by a first service provider, a plurality of first services, which include a first service from each of the first and second service providers. The first service provider generates a first broadcast multiplex, including the plurality of first services, and broadcasts the first broadcast multiplex on a first broadcast channel allocated to the first service provider. A second service provider receives a plurality of second services, which include a second service from each of the first and second service providers. The second service provider generates a second broadcast multiplex, including the plurality of second services, and broadcasts the second broadcast multiplex on a second broadcast channel allocated to the second service provider.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A reception apparatus, comprising:
 circuitry configured to 
 receive a selection of one of a plurality of first services from a plurality of different broadcast providers, the plurality of first services from the plurality of different broadcast providers being broadcast on a first radio frequency (RF) single wireless broadcast channel allocated to a first broadcast provider of the plurality of different broadcast providers, 
 tune to the first single wireless broadcast channel allocated to the first broadcast provider, 
 receive at least two of the plurality of first services being originally broadcast on the first single wireless broadcast channel allocated to the first broadcast provider, each of the at least two of the plurality of first services being identified by a first major channel number identifying the first service provider and a different minor channel number, 
 decode the selected one of the plurality of first services broadcast on the tuned first single wireless broadcast channel, and 
 output the selected one of the plurality of first services for display, wherein 
 the selected one of the plurality of first services is identified by a second major channel number identifying a second service broadcast provider of the plurality of different broadcast providers and a second minor channel number, and 
 wherein the first major channel number is different from the second major channel number. 
 
     
     
       2. The reception apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 two or more of the plurality of first services, from the plurality of different broadcast providers and broadcast on the first single wireless broadcast channel, are associated with different major virtual channel numbers. 
 
     
     
       3. The reception apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the plurality of first services broadcast on the first single wireless broadcast channel includes first services of the first and second broadcast providers; and 
 a plurality of second services broadcast on a second single wireless broadcast channel allocated to the second broadcast provider includes second services of the first and second broadcast providers. 
 
     
     
       4. A method for receiving a plurality of first services from a plurality of different broadcast providers on a first single wireless radio frequency (RF) broadcast channel, the method comprising:
 receiving, by circuitry of a reception apparatus, a selection of one of the plurality of first services from the plurality of different broadcast providers, the plurality of first services from the plurality of different broadcast providers being broadcast on the first single wireless broadcast channel allocated to a first broadcast provider of the plurality of different broadcast providers, 
 tuning, by the circuitry, to the first single wireless broadcast channel allocated to the first broadcast provider, 
 receiving at least two of the plurality of first services being originally broadcast on the first single wireless broadcast channel allocated to the first broadcast provider, each of the at least two of the plurality of first services being identified by a first major channel number identifying the first service provider and a different minor channel number, 
 decoding, by the circuitry, the selected one of the plurality of first services broadcast on the tuned first single wireless broadcast channel,and 
 outputting the selected one of the plurality of first services for display, wherein 
 the selected one of the plurality of first services is identified by a second major channel number identifying a second service broadcast provider of the plurality of different broadcast providers and a second minor channel number, and 
 wherein the first major channel number is different from the second major channel number. 
 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 4 , wherein
 two or more of the plurality of first services, from the plurality of different broadcast providers and broadcast on the first single wireless broadcast channel, are associated with different major virtual channel numbers. 
 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the plurality of first services broadcast on the first single wireless broadcast channel includes first services of the first and second broadcast providers; and 
 a plurality of second services broadcast on a second single wireless broadcast channel includes second services of the first and second broadcast providers. 
 
     
     
       7. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions which when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for receiving a plurality of first services from a plurality of different broadcast providers on a first single wireless radio frequency (RF) broadcast channel, the method comprising:
 receiving, by the computer, a selection of one of the plurality of first services from the plurality of different broadcast providers, the plurality of first services from the plurality of different broadcast providers being broadcast on the first single wireless broadcast channel allocated to a first broadcast provider of the plurality of different broadcast providers, 
 tuning, by the computer, to the first single wireless broadcast channel allocated to the first broadcast provider, 
 receiving at least two of the plurality of first services being originally broadcast on the first single wireless broadcast channel allocated to the first broadcast provider, each of the at least two of the plurality of first services being identified by a first major channel number identifying the first service provider and a different minor channel number, 
 decoding, by the computer, the selected one of the plurality of first services broadcast on the tuned first single wireless broadcast channel, and 
 outputting the selected one of the plurality of first services for display, wherein 
 the selected one of the plurality of first services is identified by a second major channel number identifying a second service broadcast provider of the plurality of different broadcast providers and a second minor channel number, and 
 wherein the first major channel number is different from the second major channel number. 
 
     
     
       8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to  claim 7 , wherein
 two or more of the plurality of first services, from the plurality of different broadcast providers and broadcast on the first single wireless broadcast channel, are associated with different major virtual channel numbers. 
 
     
     
       9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to  claim 7 , wherein
 the plurality of first services broadcast on the first single wireless broadcast channel includes first services of the first and second broadcast providers; and 
 a plurality of second services broadcast on a second single wireless broadcast channel allocated to the second broadcast provider includes second services of the first and second broadcast providers. 
 
     
     
       10. The reception apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the circuitry is configured to 
 tune to a second single wireless broadcast channel, and 
 decode a selected one of a plurality of second services on the tuned second single wireless broadcast channel, and 
 the plurality of first services are transmitted according to a first modulation scheme and the plurality of second services are transmitted according to a second modulation scheme, the first and second modulation schemes being different. 
 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 tuning to a second single wireless broadcast channel, and 
 decoding a selected one of a plurality of second services on the tuned second single wireless broadcast channel, wherein 
 the plurality of first services are transmitted according to a first modulation scheme and the plurality of second services are transmitted according to a second modulation scheme, the first and second modulation schemes being different. 
 
     
     
       12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 tuning to a second single wireless broadcast channel, and 
 decoding a selected one of a plurality of second services on the tuned second single wireless broadcast channel, wherein 
 the plurality of first services are transmitted according to a first modulation scheme and the plurality of second services are transmitted according to a second modulation scheme, the first and second modulation schemes being different. 
 
     
     
       13. The reception apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the plurality of first services includes different versions of content included in a plurality of second services broadcast on one or more other single wireless broadcast channels. 
 
     
     
       14. The reception apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of second services is assigned a different combination of the major virtual channel number and the minor virtual channel number.